Magazine for propellant charges without cartridges

ABSTRACT

A magazine for caseless propellant charges which are entirely consumed leaving no residue after burning, for use in both military and commercial applications, including an extended flexible band having a plurality of recesses, each adapted for receiving a single propellant charge, spaced along the length of said band. Additionally, the band may incorporate a plurality of depressions, apertures and/or projections spaced along the length thereof for indexing of the magazine relative to the activating device. Further, a readily detachable foil may be secured adhesively along one or both major surfaces of the band to retain the propellant charges with the respective recesses and simultaneously shield them from heat which could cause accidental detonation.

United States Patent inventors Appl. No.

Priority Heinz Gawlick Furth;

Gunther Marondel, Erlangen; Hellmut Bendler, Nurnberg, all of Germany 798,291

Feb. 11, 1969 Dec. 7, 1971 Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschait Traisdorl, Germany Feb. 2 1, 1968 Germany MAGAZINE FOR PROPELLANT CHARGES WITHOUT CARTRIDGES 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 102/865,

lO2/DlG. I, 102/39, 89/33 BB Int. Cl F42b 39/12 Field of Search 102/865,

Primary Examiner Robert F. Stahl Attorney-Craig, Antonelli and Hill ABSTRACT: A magazine for caseless propellant charges which are entirely consumed leaving no residue after burning, for use in both military and commercial applications, including an extended flexible band having a plurality of recesses, each adapted for receiving a single propellant charge, spaced along the length of said band. Additionally, the band may incorporate a plurality of depressions, apertures and/or projections spaced along the length thereof for indexing of the magazine relative to the activating device. Further, a readily detachable foil may be secured adhesively along one or both major surfaces of the band to retain the propellant charges with the respective recesses and simultaneously shield them from heat which could cause accidental detonation.

PATENTEDUEE 7197: 3.625154 sum 1 0F 2 INVENTORS INZ GAWLICK G NTHER MARONDEL HELLMUT BENDLER PATENTEDIJEB mm 3525154 SHEET 2 OF 2 BY f -,Mza-,MW

moams MAGAZINE FOR PROPELLANT CHARGES WITHOUT CARTRIDGES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Frequently, in both commercial applications and ordnance applications, it is desirable to detonate propellant charges which are not enclosed within a cartridge. One specific advantage realized in the utilization of cartridgeless propellant charges lies in the total consumption of the charge upon detonation; thus, no residue remains to be disposed of after burning. Accordingly, caseless propellant charges have been produced in the form of compressed bodies of various shapes, such as tablets, cylinders, cubes, strips, etc., and various sizes.

Considerable danger is involved, however, in handling caseless propellant charges for such charges may readily be ignited accidentally, for example, when contained within a confined space. The danger is particularly enhanced when a number of propellant charges are positioned in direct juxtaposition as when stored loosely in a single container or the like. The danger of accidental detonation inherent in handling caseless propellant charges is particularly intolerable when the charges are being used in commercial applications such as in stud-driving implements widely employed in the construction industry.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a magazine for handling caseless propellant charges affording greater safety from accidental detonation than devices known heretofore.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the type described above which shields caseless propellant charges from heat and open flame which could cause accidental detonation.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the type described above which avoids the disadvantages encountered heretofore and one which is simple and inexpensive to produce and to utilize.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The forgoing objects are accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by the provision of an extended band or strip, preferably constructed from a flexible material so as to be capable of being coiled about a core. Thus, the band may suitable be constructed from metal or thermoplastic synthetic resin. The band is provided with a plurality of recesses spaced along the length thereof, each of which is dimensioned appropriately to accommodate a single propellant charge therein. Additionally, the band may be provided with a plurality of depressions, apertures and/or projections spaced along the length thereof and adapted to cooperate with corresponding projections, apertures and/r depressions, respectively, provided on the activating device, to accomplish indexing of the magazine.

It is to be understood that the term activating device is used herein so as to broadly describe any device which can accomplish detonation of a propellant charge. Thus, the propellant charges positioned within the magazine described herein might be intended for detonation within a firearm, but may as well be intended for detonation within a stud-driving implementor the like.

One or both of the major surfaces of the magazine band may additionally be covered with a foil adhesively secured to said band but adapted for rapid removal therefrom, the foil covering serving for retention of the propellant charges within the respective recesses and simultaneously serving to shield the charges from heat and open flame within the magazines environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the detailed description hereinbelow when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a portion of a magazine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of a portion of a magazine constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of a magazine constructed according to the present invention and including a foil covering on the two oppositely disposed major surfaces thereof;

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a magazine according to FIG. 3 with the foil coverings partially detached;

FIG. 5 represents a diagrammatic view of a magazine constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating the positioning of propellant charges within the combustion chamber of an activating device; and

FIG. 6 and 7 represent two additional embodiments of a magazine constructed according to the present invention and adapted for handling propellant charges and associated projectiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS As illustrated in FIG. I, the magazine is constructed in the form of a strip or band 2 including a plurality of recesses l spaced along the central longitudinal plane thereof. In the recess I shown at the left of FIG. I, a propellant charge 3 is disposed, the configuration of charge 3 conforming to the configuration of recess 1.

The spacing between adjacent recesses 1 within the magazine band 2 is determined so that the charges 3 disposed therein are maintained at a spacing sufficient to preclude a transmission of combustion between adjacent charges 3 or, at least to significantly reduce the possibility thereof. Of course, determination of the optimum spacing between adjacent charges 3 and, therefore, adjacent recesses I must take account of the type and size of the propellant charges within the limitations of efficient utilization of the magazine and the space available for feeding charges into the combustion chamber of the activating device. Similar considerations govern the width and thickness of the band 2 employed.

Along the marginal regions of band 2, a series of depressions 5 are spaced. Although not shown, it is contemplated that the particular activating device employed would include a device including projections of appropriate dimension and spaced to correspond to the dimension and spacing of the depressions 5 to effect controlled advancement of the magazine and, accordingly, regulated feeding of the propellant charges 3 to the combustion chamber of the activating device. Alternatively, band 2 could be provided with a series of spaced projections in which case the activating device would incorporate mating depressions thereon. Further, band 2 might well be provided with a plurality of recesses I mutually offset in the direction of the band width rather than aligned along the longitudinal center plane as illustrated in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a propellant charge 3 having the configuration of a rectangular prism is positioned within cylindrical recess 1 of band 2. Accordingly, the propellant charge 3 is retained within recess 1 solely by means of a clamping force exerted upon the corners of propellant charge 3. In a similar manner, propellant charges of various shapes could be positioned within cylindrical recess 1 provided that the charges are dimensioned appropriately. Similarly, the recesses provided in band 2 could be of various configurations and still be adaptable for retaining propellant charges 3 of appropriate dimensions.

FIG. 3 illustrates a magazine of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 further including foil coverings 4 secured along the two oppositely disposed major surfaces of band 2. Foil coverings 4, which may advantageously be formed from a thermoplastic synthetic material, flame-resistant paper, metal, or similarly flexible material, may serve the dual function of retaining propellant charges 3 within recesses 1 until such time as it is desired to remove the charges 3 for feeding into the combustion chamber of the activating device and, simultaneously, shielding the propellant charges 3 within recesses I from the direct effects of heat and flames which may surround the magazine while in use. ln order to assure that the foil coverings 4 will not hinder the feeding of propellant charges 3 into the combustion chamber of the activating device, the foil coverings should be constructed in a relatively flexible form so that they may be coiled about a core. Additionally, foil coverings 4 may be secured to band 2 by means of an adhesive preferably applied to band 2 rather than foil covering 4 to preclude the possibility of propellant charges 3 accidentally adhering to foil covering 4. The adhesive bond formed between foil covering 4 and band 2 should be such as to be easily and rapidly severed as desired to facilitate removal of foil coverings 4 prior to feeding of the propellant charges 3 into the combustion chamber of the activating device.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the foil coverings 4 are partially removed from band 2 and coiled about rollers 6 in such a manner that band 2 with propellant charges 3 retained therein, but without foil coverings 4, is advanced into the combustion chamber 7 of the activating device (illustrated schematically in FIG. lt is to be understood that upon further indexing of the band 2, foil coverings 4 are continuously wound upon rollers 6, thus uncovering succeeding recesses 1 and the propellant charges 3 disposed therein so that the removal of propellant charges 3 from recesses 1 within combustion chamber 7 of the activating device is facilitated. Band 2 with the recesses l therein empty exits from the combustion chamber 7 of the activating device.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the magazine constructed in accordance with the present invention may accommodate propellant charges 3 combined with projectiles 8, which may represent nails, bolts, studs, or the like, as well as a destructive projectile, depending upon the purpose for which the magazine is employed. In FIG. 6, the propellant charges 3 and the associated projectiles 8 are combined to form a single unit within each recess 1. As in FIG. 3, the two oppositely disposed major surfaces of band 2 are covered by means of foil coverings 4. In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 7, propellant charges 3 and the associated projectiles 8 are separated. As illustrated, the separation is effected by means of a relatively thin portion of band 2 effectively dividing each of the recesses 1 into two separate recesses extending from the respective oppositely disposed major surfaces of band 2. Alternatively, a propellant charge 3 and an associated projectile 8 may be separately disposed within a single undivided recess 1 extending continuously between the two oppositely disposed major surfaces of band 2.

lt should be noted that the thickness of band 2 is preferably dimensioned so that recesses l define the precise volume required for combustion of propellant charges 3. In this manner, recesses I may themselves form the combustion chamber for charges 3. Such an arrangement eliminates the otherwise required step of conveying propellant charges 3 from recesses 1 into combustion chamber 7 of an activating device.

While the present invention has been described hereinabove with reference to the details of a relatively few specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as would be apparent to one with normal skill in the pertinent technology.

What is claimed is:

1. A magazine for case less propellant charges, which burn completely leaving no residue, comprising a relatively flexible, coilable band having a width substantially greater than its thickness and a constant cross section over the entire length thereof so as to have a uniform thickness and width at all points, said band being provided with a plurality of recesses therein spaced at intervals along the length thereof, a propellant charge in each of said recesses being axially disposed at right angles to the plane of the band for receiving said propellant charge, the thickness of the band corresponding at least to the length of the propellant charge disposed therein.

2. A magazine according to claim I, wherein said band means is further provided with indexing means spaced along the length thereof.

3. A magazine according to claim 2, wherein said band means is formed from a thermoplastic synthetic resin material.

4. A magazine according to claim 2, wherein said band means is formed from a metallic material.

5. A magazine according to claim 1, wherein said recesses are aligned approximately in the center of said band means.

6. A magazine according to claim 1, wherein each of said recesses is formed as a pair of aligned chambers separated by a radial band projection to receive a single projectile body and a propellant charge, respectively.

7. A magazine according to claim 1, further comprising flexible and coilable foil covering means removably secured to at least one of the major surfaces of said band means, for cover ing said plurality of recesses therein, and means for securing said foil covering means to said band means.

8. A magazine according to claim 7, wherein said foil covering means is formed from a thermoplastic synthetic resin material.

9. A magazine according to claim 7, wherein said means for securing said foil covering means to said band means includes adhesive material applied to said major surfaces of said band means.

10. A magazine according to claim 9, wherein said foil covering means are removably secured to both oppositely disposed major surfaces of said band means. 

1. A magazine for caseless propellant charges, which burn completely leaving no residue, comprising a relatively flexible, coilable band having a width substantially greater than its thickness and a constant cross section over the entire length thereof so as to have a uniform thickness and width at all points, said band being provided with a plurality of recesses therein spaced at intervals along the length thereof, a propellant charge in each of said recesses being axially disposed at right angles to the plane of the band for receiving said propellant charge, the thickness of the band corresponding at least to the length of the propellant charge disposed therein.
 2. A magazine according to claim 1, wherein said band means is further provided with indexing means spaced along the length thereof.
 3. A magazine according to claim 2, wherein said band means is formed from a thermoplastic synthetic resin material.
 4. A magazine according to claim 2, wherein said band means is formed from a metallic material.
 5. A magazine according to claim 1, wherein said recesses are aligned approximately in the center of said band means.
 6. A magazine according to claim 1, wherein each of said recesses is formed as a pair of aligned chambers separated by a radial band projection to receive a single projectile body and a propellant charge, respectively.
 7. A magazine according to claim 1, further comprising flexible and coilable foil covering means removably secured to at least one of the major surfaces of said band means, for covering said plurality of recesses therein, and means for securing said foil covering means to said band means.
 8. A magazine according to claim 7, wherein said foil covering means is formed from a thermoplastic synthetic resin material.
 9. A magazine according to claim 7, wherein said means for securing said foil covering means to said band means includes adhesive material applied to said major surfaces of said band means.
 10. A magazine according to claim 9, wherein said foil covering means are removably secured to both oppositely disposed major surfaces of said band means. 